Fountain pen



G. s. VIVIAN Aug. 15, 1933.

FOUNTAI N PEN Filed Nov. 13, 1931 INVENTOQ G EOQGE STEWART VIVIAN PER W ATTOIZNEYS Patented Aug. 15,1933 I a r 1 22 31 7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE A FOUNTAIN PEN George Stewart Vivian, Norbury, London, England, assignor of one-half to T. B. Ford Limited, Buckinghamshire, England Application November 13, 1931, Serial No. 574,826, and in Great Britain July 11, 1931 11 Claims. (c1.v 120-49) This invention relates to improvements in The closure valve is preferably connected to fountain pens and comprises a method and means or formed 'asa part of the plunger of the pump for eiiectively sealing the outlet from the resermechanism which when the pump is not in use voir of the pen so as to prevent leakage when not for :filling purposes will be located close to the in use and which is automatically released when ink outlet from the reservoir. When the pen the pen is required for use. cap is removed the closure valve will be re- The present invention broadly consists in the leased from the aperture to permit the now provision of means for isolating the reservoir of of ink but when the pen cap is screwed into the pen from the ink outlet appropriate to the position the valve will seat in the outlet and nib such means being automatically brought into effectively prevent the escape of ink. One methoperation by the application of a removable cap 0d of effecting the relative movement between t0 the P 3 the closure valve and the nib section consists The invention may be said to consist in'that the in providing a sheath which fits over the pen pen and the pen cap are so constructed and arbody' and may be screwed or otherwise conranged that the act of securing the pen cap in nected to the head of the pump plunger. A position on the pen operates a closure valve to spring or other means may be located within 7 seal the outlet from the reservoir of the pen and the head of the pump plunger between it and so prevent the'escape ofink therefrom. When the pen body so that the plunger is normally the pen cap is removed to enable the pen to be held in such a position that the closure valve at used, the closure valve is automatically released its end is free of the outlet through which ink so that ink will flow from the reservoir to permit flows from the reservoir to the pen nib; The it to be used for writing immediately. pen cap is adapted to be screwed on to the low- The closure valve is preferably located wither end of the outer sheath while a cylindrical in the pen and is so arranged that by securing the or tubular projection from the head of the pen pen cap in position for example by screwing it cap envelops the nib and engages against the upon a portion of the pen body relative moveend of the nib section; As the pen cap is screwed ment is effected between the closure valve and into position on the outer sheath the tubular the nib section or other part of the pen so as projection will press against the end of the nib to cut off the supply of ink. from the reservoir. section forcing it and the whole of the pen body The invention is applicable to reservoir fountain to slide within the outer sheath against the pens both of the self-filling type and also of the action of the spring or other means. Thus the type in which ink is introduced by means of a nib section and the pen body will slide relaseparate filling device. It is however, particutively to the pump plunger until the nib section larly applicable to reservoir fountain pens havis pressed against the closure valve thus sealing pump actuated filling mechanism. l ing the outlet from the reservoir. When the In a suitable method of carrying the invenpen cap is removed the spring or other means tion into practice as applied to reservoir founforces the pen body and the nib section away tain pens having pump actuated'filling mechafrom the closure valve thus permitting ink to nism, a valve may be located within the reservoir flow as required for writing purposes. The outand supported near the outlet from'the reservoir er sheath may be easily detached and removed to the nib section. The nib section and the valve from the pen body and reservoir when it is deare movable relatively to each other and this sired to fill the pen with ink. This is effected movement is effected by the act of securing the by inserting the end of the pen in the ink and pen cap over the nib section. The pen cap is operating the plunger so as to, draw ink into arranged to screw on to a portion of'the body of the reservoir. When the pen has been filled the pen while a sleeve within :the-pen cap enthe outer sheath is again placed in position and gages against the nib. section. As the pen cap the pen is ready for use. This obviates any is screwed into place the sleeve thereinwill press possibility of ink getting on to the outside of against the nib section causing relative movethe pen body or barrel.

ment between it and the closure valve until the In 'order'that my invention may be clearly outlet is effectively sealed. When the pen cap is understood and readily carried into effect I have unscrewed and removed the converse movement appended hereto a sheet'of drawings illustrating will take place so as to unseal the outlet and peran embodiment thereof as applied to a self-fillmit ink to flow to the nib. Where necessary ing fountain pen employing plunger mechanism spring or other means may be employed to assist somewhat similar to that described in co-pendthis returnmovement. H l r ing application No. 449604, filed May 3, 1930,

Patent #l,862,586, issued June 14, 1932, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a part sectional view of a complete pen.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the pen removed from its sheath.

Fig. 3"is'a'view illustrating the cap.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the sheath.

Fig. 5 is a broken sectional view of a complete pen, and

Fig. 6 shows the pen with the cap removed and ready for use.

Referring to the drawing the reservoir of the pen is a tubular body 1 which is preferably transparent and it has fitted into one end as a permanent fixture the nib receiving section 2 the nib being indicated by the reference numeral 3 and the quill which retains the nib in position being indicated by the reference numeral l. The ink outflow passage is indicated at 5 and when the pen is in use the ink flows freely from the reservoir 1 through a valve seating Gpreferably of annular conical form as shown into this passage 5. When the penis being charged with ink, the inl; is drawn through the passage 5 and air displaced by the ink issues through a lateral passage 7 at the lowerend of an air vent passage 8 consisting of a small diameter tube'extending axially along the reservoir andwithin a tubular piston rod ,9 formedwith an enlargementlO of tubular form which on retraction of the piston rod is slidable through thepiston 11 until a flange like abutment v12 thereon engages the piston 11 so that the piston is retracted to effect a suction or chargingaction. The enlargement is slotted longitudinally as at 13 to normally allow a free flow ofink, and if desired air, through the pistonll. position by an annular abutment 14 of the en'- largement 1Q engagingthe piston when-the rod 9 is pushed home by, means of its head 15. p The head 15 is fixed to the rod 9 and normally is threaded as at 16 into the upper end of ;'a sheath 17 in which the reservoir fits'as a close slidingfit. The other end of the sheath 17 is preferably tapered orconed as at 18 to. conform with the normal configuration of a fountain pen andto receive the nib receiving section 2 which has at its free end a cylindrical part 19 slidable within but projecting from a correspondingly shaped free .end 20 of the tapered part 18 of the sheath 17. This part 20 of the sheath has a threaded exterior 21 on which is adapted to be screwed a cap 22 and the arrangement is such that the action'of screwing this cap 22 onto the threaded part 21 of the sheath'isolates the ink outflow passage 5 from the reservoir by forcing a conically or otherwise suitably shaped valve 23,into the valve seating 6, this valveconveniently being carried by the lower end of the tubular piston rod 9 as shown. V

The valve 23 is held oil" the seatingBWhen-the pen is in .use by a coiled compression spring 24 accommodatedin the piston rod head l5which-is bored centrally for this purpose as indicated at 25. This coiled compression. spring is interposed between a gland nut 26 of a packing-gland 2'7 through which the piston rod. slides in the upper end of the reservoir 1 and the closed outer end of the cap 15. When the safety cap 22 is screwed on to the threadedpart 21 of thesheath 17 an abutment-inside the cap 22 engages the annular free end of the cylindrical part 19 of the reservoir and forces the reservoir along the sheath 17 against the influence of the spring 24 until the The piston 11 is returnedto its normal seating 6 is pressed against the valve 23. The abutment in the cap can be the annular free end of a sleeve 28 fitted into the safety cap 22 for example as shown by screwing it into the upper end of the cap .for thepurpose of gripping into position a pen clip 29. Alternatively the sleeve 28 can be integral with the cap 22.

It will of course be understood that the pen need not be a self-filling fountain pen as the rod 9 can be a small diameter rod merely fitted with the valve 23 and slidable through the gland 27 for a limited distance sufficient to enable the spring 24jto operate' 1. In a fountain pen, a reservoir, a nib connected-with said'reservoir, a sheath slidably accommodating'saidreservoir, a safety cap adapted to be applied over the nib, an ink outflow passage from the reservoir'to the nib, a valve adapted upon application of said cap over the nib to automatically .close said passage, a rod carrying said valve and slidable through the upper end of the reservoir, spring means operating on saidrod to maintain the valve in the open position; a piston in said reservoir, abutments on said rod adapted to engage opposite sides of said piston for sliding the piston backwards andforwards in the reservoir to effect a filling operation, thenib receiving end of the reservoir projecting beyond the lower end of the said sheath and the said cap, said safety cap being screwed on to the said sheath and being provided with an internal abutment adapted to engage the nib receiving end of the reservoir so as to effect said relative movement.

2. :In a fountain pen, in co1nbination,.a sheath, a reservoir situated within said sheath and movable with respect thereto, a nib section connected with said reservoir at one end thereof, a valve seating formed in said end of the reservoir. a

valve located inside said reservoir, 2. cover cap for covering said nib section, athread formed on said sheath and adapted toreceive said cap when said cap is'applied over the nib section, and means for moving said reservoir relatively to said valve and said sheath when said cover cap is applied over said nib section, said means drawing together said valve andsaid valve seatingto isolate said reservoir from said nib.

3. In a fountain pen, in combination, a sheath,

a reservoir situated within said sheath and movable-with respect thereto, a nib section connected with said reservoir at one end thereof and normally immovable relativel'y thereto, a valve seating formed in said end of the reservoir, a valve located inside said reservoir, a cover cap for covering said nib section, a thread formed on said sheath andadapted to receive said cap when said cap is applied over the nib section, and means for moving said'reservoir and said nib section as.

a single unit relatively to said valve and said sheath when said cover cap is applied over said nib section," said means drawing together said valve and said valve seating to isolate said reservoir from said nib.

4. In a fountain pen, a reservoir, a nib connected with said reservoir, a sheath over said reservoir, a safety cap adapted to be applied over said'nib by being connected to one end of said sheath, means providing from said reservoir to said nib, a valve adapted upon application of said cap over said nib to automatically close said passage, a rod carrying said valve and slidable'through the upper end of said reservoir, an operating member on the an ink outflow passage upper end of said sheath, said sheath operatively connecting said cap and operating member, and spring means operating on said rod to maintain said valve in the open position.

5. A fountain pen comprising a reservoir, a nib connected with said reservoir, a sheath accommodating the reservoir, an ink outflow passage connecting said nib to said reservoir, a valve adapted to close said passage, a cap adapted to be fitted over said sheath to enclose the nibfa rod carrying said valve and slidable through the upper end of the reservoir and connected to said sheath, and spring means operating on said rod to maintain the valve in the open position, such application of said cap being utilized to efiect relative movement of said sheath and said valve with respect to said reservoir for the purpos of closing said passage. I

6. In a fountain pen, a reservoir, a nib connected with said reservoir, a safety cap adapted to be applied oversaid nib, a sheath applied over said reservoir and adapted to be connected with said safety cap, an ink outflow passage from the reservoir to the nib, a valve adapted upon application of said cap over the nib to automatically close said passage, a rod carrying said valve and slidable through the upper end of the reservoir, resilient means operating on said rod to maintain the valve in the open position, and a rod cap connected to the outer end of said rod and to the corresponding end of said sheath and slidable over the corresponding end of the reservoir, said rod cap accommodating said spring means. i

7. A fountain pen comprising a reservoir, a nib connected with said reservoir, a sheath accommodating said reservoir, an ink outflow passage connecting said nib to said reservoir, a valve adapted to close said passage, a cap adapted to be fitted over said sheath to enclose said nib, a rod carrying said valve and slidable through the upper end of said reservoir, said rod being con-- nected to said sheath, spring means operating on said rod to maintain the valve in the open position, and another cap fixed to the outer end of said rod and slidable over the corresponding end of the reservoir, the last-mentioned cap accommodating said spring means, the application of said cap to said sheath being utilized to eifect relative movement of said sheath and said valve with respect to said reservoir for the purpose of closing said passage.

8. In a fountain pen, a reservoir, a nib connected with said reservoir, a safety cap adapted to be applied over said nib, a sheath adapted to be connected to said safety cap and surrounding said reservoir, an ink outflow passage from'the reservoir to said nib, a valve adapted upon application of said cap over said nib to automatically close said passage, a rod carrying said valve and slidable through the upper end of the reservoir, said rod being connected to said sheath, spring means operating on said rod to maintain the valve in the open position, a piston in said reservoir, and abutments on said rod adapted to engage opposite sides of said piston for sliding the .piston backwards and forwards in the reservoir to effect a filling operation, the application of said cap being utilized to effect a relative movement of said sheath and said valve with respect to said reservoir for the purpose of closing said passage.

9. A fountain pen comprising a reservoir, a nib connected with said reservoir, a sheath slidably accommodating said reservoir, an ink outflow passage connecting said nib to said reservoir, a valve adapted to close said passage, a cap adapted to be fitted over said sheath to enclose said nib, such application of said cap being utilized to efiect relative movement of said reservoir in the sheath relative to said valve for the purpose of closing said passage, the nib receiving end of the reservoir projecting beyond the lower end of the said sheath and the said cap, said safety cap being screwed onto the said sheath and comprising an internal abutment adapted to engage the nib receiving end of the reservoir so as to eficct said relative movement, and spring means adapted to maintain said valve open and opposing said relative movement.

10. In a fountain pen, in combination, a reservoir, a nib section connected with said reservoir at one end thereof, a valve seating formed in saidend of the reservoir, a valve located inside said reservoir, a cover cap for covering said nib section, a member extending along the exterior of the reservoir and forming a mechanical connection from said cap to said valve, and means moving said reservoir relatively to said valve when said cover cap is applied over said nib section, said means drawing together said valve and said valve seating to isolate said reservoir from said nib.

11. In a fountain pen, in combination, a reservoir, a nib section connected with said'reservoir at one end thereof and normally immovable relatively thereto, a valve seating formed in said end of the reservoir, a valve located inside said reservoir, a cover cap for covering said nib section, a member extending along the exterior of said res ervoir and forming a mechanical connection from ,said cap to said valve, and means moving said reservoir and said nib section as a single unit relatively to said valve when said cover cap is applied over said nib section, said means drawing together said valve and said valve seating to isolate said reservoir from said nib.

GEORGE STEWART VIVIAN. 

